Vaginal ring vs Hormonal IUD

Used for 2,5 years, really lowed my libido after some month of use, get me a complete loss after some years. Later suspended for this same reason and because I had a vaginal yeast infection (not used precautions, such as vaginal ovuli with lactobacilli, useful in every hormonal contraception use). Tried years later, but had big problems with increased vaginal discharge (got a vaginal irritation caused by the costant humidity in my lady parts). Very practical (you can forget about it for 3 weeks), but lots of collateral effects (at least for me). You have to try ii to discover if it's good for you or if gives you difficult side effects (it's very personal). If none, can be a very good choise.

I was put on the pill at 18 for irregular periods, had no problems after the normal first months of weight gain and mood changes. Later on I started a shift job in which I was on alternating shifts, 7a-7p, 11a-11p, 3p-3a, 7p-7a it was impossible to continue taking the pill at the same time everyday. Also I was working in a different state than my OBGYN and traveled alot so planning a procedure was not feasible. I was started on the ring and it was so much easier! My mood swings, breast tenderness were less, I lost some weight. Only thing was having all the symptoms of a 5 day period shoved into 3 days-so more blood and worse cramps. Previously I never needed a heating pad or meds-now I do BUT its only for 3 days. Overall best decision ever to switch to NuvaRing.

Easy to use. However started having severe night sweats and have to sleep with AC very low. Love having regular periods. Went from 7 days of medium heavy bleeding to 3-4 light days. I did have a significant drop in my sex drive and it's now almost nonexistent which I did not know was a side effect. Overall though excellent birth control option

Side affects can change as time passes. I noticed more side effects the longer I was on it.

I love mirena

Better than copper IUD. Similar in side effects to birth control ring except less effect on sex drive.

DO NOT GET

I initially thought I was having a positve experience, but after 3 months was diagnosed with Sebohrreic Dermatitis with an extremely itchy scalp and bumps on jawline. Within 5 months I started having noticeable hair loss. I have lost at least 50% density. It is now 11 months from insertion and still shedding drastically. 8 months after insertion, I started having cystic acne which Ive never experienced before. I use to have the Paraguard IUD and didnt have these symptoms

I’ve had the Mirena since 2022 and just got it taken out today. I will preface this with I do not do well with birth control in general and it’s a struggle. I did not realize the correlation between my Mirena and my side affects. I feel like my side affects got gradually worse. I already suffer from anxiety and depression but since the Mirena was put in I have had to add on another anxiety and depression medication. I’ve also had to get on an acne medication from the dermatologist because I was getting deep acne and my face chemistry had changed including a little more facial hair growth. Once on the medication I no longer had an issue the the hair growth or acne. Let me also point out that I’ve never had acne my entire life so this was new. Everyone’s body reacts differently to birth control. I just want to make sure that I said these things in case there is another person who thought they were going crazy. I had extreme exhaustion and this increased my depression and made things much worse. I am not the only one who has had these symptoms either so take comfort in knowing you are not alone.

Has helped overall by stopping my periods which were long (5-7 days) and heavy.

It's ok. No unplanned pregnancy but my periods last for 2-3 weeks and I gained 25lbs in 2 years with no changes to eating habits.

Went on the IUD bc I had super painful periods. Modena stopped my period and once a month now I’ll have just a little bit of phantom cramps—but none that ever pose an issue. The first month was quite painful adjusting to the IUD, but COMPLETELY worth it in the end. Only negative side effect I’m experiencing is vaginal dryness. Vaginal discharge has decreased and when I’m with my partner, no matter how aroused I am, I’m still pretty dry.

I'm almost 28 years old, have had periods for the last decade and a half. They have always been regular and heavy to the point that if I didn't take iron supplements 5x a week and tranexamic acid during my periods, I'd have anemia. So I got Kyleena in December 2024. Insertion was fine, some cramping but nothing too serious. I had cramping on and off during the times my periods were supposed to come and some spotting/bleeding, but it was usually what I saw towards the beginning of my cycle. I had one reduced-level period in mid-August. I have had to go from 36D to 36DD to 36DDD/38DD bras over the span of a few months. At first I thought it was just weight gain (went from 170 to 195lb), but I have been almost 200lb before and my breast size increased this much this quickly. Even after losing 10 pounds my breast size has shown little to no decrease. I hate it. I also suspect that the IUD influenced my sciatica in my lumbar spine, which began in February 2025 and has taken several weeks of PT and a round of oral steroids to resolve. I am still not up to 100% all these months later. Overall a 2/5. The decreased period length, flow, and frequency is almost not enough to justify having this torture device in. If I get pregnant w/this in, I'll be so angry.